Switch



A. LOHE May 25, 1937.

SWITCH Filed May 28, 1934 Fig. 5.

Patented May 25, 1937 UNITED STATES SWITCH Arthur Lohe, Annaberg i/Erzgcb, Germany, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application May 28, 1934, Serial No. 728,019 In Germany June 15, 1933 1 Claim.

ticularly to multi-position switches, and it has for its object the provision of an improved device of this character.

In electric ranges and like heating appliances, a multi-position switch is usually provided to control the heating elements so as to provide various degrees of heat. For example, it is common to provide each of the surface heating units of a range with a controlling switch" which is selectively movable to controlling positions to provide, high, low and medium heats. In an arrangement of this kind the switch usually has four controlling positions, namely, an off position, a high position, a medium position and a low position, the last three of these denoting the high, low and medium heat positions respectively. Some inconvenience has been experienced because of the fact that it is somewhat diflicult for the attendant when at some distance from the range to know just what controlling position the switch is in.

This invention contemplates the provision of an improved signal arrangement in a switch whereby the attendant can readily perceive the controlling condition of the switch.

In accordance with this invention, a suitable indicating device, such as an incandescent lamp, is connected with the controlling element of the switch so as to be moved with it when it is moved to its respective controlling position. In other words, the position of the lamp is changed when the switch is operated from one to another controlling position. Preferably, a suitable cover will be provided for the switch in which is provided a plurality of windows which are positioned opposite the positions assumed by the lamp corresponding to the controlling positions of the switch. These windows may be covered with glass panes which preferably will be provided with suitable indications or markings denoting the controlling positions of the switch.

For a more complete understanding of this in vention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a'switch intended to be used with an electric range and like heating appliance arranged in accordance with this invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the switch of Fig. 1, with portions removed and other portions broken away so as to illustrate certain details of construction; and Fig. 3 is an illustration of a detail of construction of one means for controlling the energization of the indicating lamp.

Referring to the drawing, this invention has been shown in one form as applied to a multi-position switch intended to control heating circuits in an electric range. The switch l comprises movable contact members (not shown) operated by a shaft II, and fixed contacts (not shown) cooperating with the movable contacts. The details of construction of the contacts have not been shown because they form no part of this invention. It will be understood, however, that the movable contacts willbe carried upon the shaft H in such a manner that they will engage the fixed contacts so as to control the associated controlled heating elements of the range to generate different degrees of heat, such as high, low and medium heats,

The switch Ill is provided with a suitable control knob l2 secured to. the shaft ll whereby the shaft can be conveniently moved to its various controlling positions. In the particular switch shown, the switch has four controlling positions, an off position, a high heat position, a medium heat position and a low heat position.

A suitable covering i3 is provided for the switch. This covering may be made of any suit able material, but preferably will be made of an insulating material.

A suitable incandescent lamp I4 is arranged to denote the controlling positions of the control member ll;

This lamp, as shown, is mounted upon a suitable supporting member !5 which in turn is rigidly secured to shaft ll so as to be moved with the shaft when the shaft is moved to its controlling positions. Preferably, the support l5 will be formed of a suitable electrically insulating material. As shown, the lamp is supported by means of suitable brackets I6 on the support I5. These brackets also serve as terminals for the lamp, and, therefore, will be formed of any suitable electrically conducting material.

Current is supplied to the two poles of the lamp M by means of a pair of contacts I! rigidly secured to the under side of the plate l5. It will be'understood that these two contacts will be connected to the two terminal members l6 respectively. The contacts ll engage two are or circular shaped contact members I8 respectively which are mounted upon a supporting member 20. This member preferably will be formed of a suitable electrically insulating material. The support is mounted upon brackets 2| fastened to the switch Ill, as shown. The contact members l8 are connected to their source of electrical supply in any suitable, manner which forms no part of this invention. For example, conductors connected with the electrical supply source may be connected with the contact members l8 by means of binding posts (not shown) directed downwardly from the contact members through the support 20 to the under-side thereof where the electrical connections are made.

It will be observed in view of the foregoing construction that when the switch knob I2 is turned so as to move the switchcontrol member II to a new controlling position, the support I will be turned with it so that the lamp I I will be moved to a new indicating position. Thus, for each controlling position of the control member l2 there is a corresponding indicating position of the lamp l4.

Preferably, suitable openings or windows 22 will be provided in the cover member l3 opposite the indicating .positions of the lamp M. The lamp, it will be observed, is therefore visible to the attendant in each of its indicating positions. The openings 22 may be difierentiated one from the other by means of suitable indications, such as for Oil, High, Medium, and Low. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the openings are closed by suitable glass panes 23 which if desired may be colored. The indications denoting the controlling positions of the control member may be applied directly to these window panes; as shown in Fig. 2, the words 01f, High, Medium, and Low have been applied.

The contact members I8 may be so arranged that the lamp M will be energized in each one of the controlling positions of the knob I 2 including the off position, but in order to economize current, it is preferable that they be arranged so that the lamp is deenergized when the lamp is in the oil position.

Current may also be economized by providing a suitable glimmer lamp instead of the lamp l4, and may be further economized by introducing a resistance 24 in the electrical circuit between one terminal of the lamp I 4 and one of the contacts IT, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

It will be understood, of course, that the contacts I1 and I 8 may be interchanged. That is. the contacts I! may be supported upon the fixed plate 20, while the contacts l8 may be supported on the movable plate l5.

While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood, of course, that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claim to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

Switching means for electric ranges and the like comprising a control shaft movable to a plurality of controlling positions, a knob for operating said shaft, a fixed support, a switching mechanism on said support connected to said shaft to be operated thereby, an insulating support adjacent said fixed support mounted on said shaft so as to move with it as the position of said shaft is changed to move to a new controlling position, an incandescent lamp on said insulating support movable with it to indicating positions corresponding to the controlling positions of said shaft, a cover for said switch provided with windows opposite the indicating positions of said lamp, contacts for said lamp secured to said movable support, contacts of arc shape on said fixed support engaging said contacts on said movable support and arranged so that said last-named contacts engage them continuously to continuously energize said lamp when said control member is removed from its ofi position.

\ ARTHUR LOHE. 

